The official pictures of William and Kate's wedding were shot to show two families coming together and reveal the couple's love for each other, the photographer has said.

Speaking at Clarence House in London, Hugo Burnand said he hoped it looked "effortless, relaxed and friendly".

He said his favourite photograph was one of the newlyweds with the bridesmaids and page boys, but there were only seconds to set it up and the children were coaxed with promises of jelly beans and sweets.

The pictures, taken in Buckingham Palace's throne room immediately after the bride and groom arrived from Westminster Abbey, capture the Royal Family and the Middletons in rapturous mood.

Mr Burnand said: "From where I was and from their point of view it was two families coming together and that was the feeling, the sense of family and love going between everyone.

"They had their own buzz. Everyone had their own buzz. It was that excitement that I hope you feel at most weddings."

Mr Burnand had only a short period of time between the couple's arrival at Buckingham Palace and their appearance on the balcony to take the official photographs.

He said Kate was a keen photographer herself and he discussed ideas for the main family picture with her and William before hand.

"She had good ideas. She put them to me. I used my technical knowledge and together we came up with that picture," he said.

Asked about the mood between the couple, he said: "They are so bloody nice. They are just so nice as individuals and as a pair, and they work so well together."